Iraq Improves Press Freedom Rating

Iraq has risen two places to rank 150th out of 179 countries in the World Press Freedom Index for 2013, but this followed a fall of 22 places last year.

The security situation for journalists continues to be very worrying, with three killed in connection with their work in 2012 and seven killed in 2011, according to the assessment from Reporters Without Borders. Journalists are constantly obstructed, it added.

The result puts Iraq behind countries such as Russia and Oman, but ahead of Iran and Burma. First place went to Finland, with Eritrea coming last, just behind North Korea.